The company's purpose is to acquire, manage and dispose of participations in other companies as well as to provide financing in Switzerland and abroad; it may carry out all activities directly or indirectly related to this purpose. The company may acquire, manage and transfer patents, trademarks and technical and industrial know-how; it may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad. The company may carry out all financial, commercial and other activities which are directly or indirectly related to the company's purpose. The company may grant loans to its direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies and provide security of any kind for their liabilities to third parties, including by pledging or assigning its own assets or providing guarantees of any kind, even if such loans or securities are in the exclusive interest of its direct or indirect shareholders or other group companies and are granted free of charge. The company may acquire, manage and dispose of real estate in Switzerland and abroad.